Jan 30, 2014, 11:28 am
Last edit by: cheesedawg
Lounge Location
IST International Terminal. Near Gate 220
Getting In
Opening Hours: 24 hrs per day
Entrances: 2 entrances - one from the main terminal, another from the far-left side of the check-in area of the airport with separate passport control. Automated gates. You need a boarding pass with your status on it.
Bag Storage: There are lockers right next to the main entrance. Lockers are emptied at night.
Eligibility:
Business Class travelers on international flights operated by Turkish Airlines,
Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus members (they may invite their families or one guest),
Star Alliance Gold members (they may invite one guest),
First and Business Class travelers on flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines.
Multiple Entries:
If you're connecting and want to visit Istanbul, you can enter the lounge with your connecting BP, enjoy the lounge then go back to Immigration, enter Turkey, and come back to the lounge after your visit.
Facilities
Working
Free Wi-Fi (get the codes next to the computer desk or also throughout the lounge)
Showers
Printers and computers
Eating
Extensive Food and Drink Areas
Relaxing
Relaxation Rooms (see below)
Ironing service
Newspapers and Library
Media wall
Pool Table
Self-playing piano
Sleeping in the Lounge
There are 5-7 relaxation rooms.
Eligibility:
4-7 hour layover for TK Business and Elite Plus customers.
Couches throughout the lounge - anyone confirm?
You may be eligible for a free hotel outside the airport.
IST International Terminal. Near Gate 220
Getting In
Opening Hours: 24 hrs per day
Entrances: 2 entrances - one from the main terminal, another from the far-left side of the check-in area of the airport with separate passport control. Automated gates. You need a boarding pass with your status on it.
Bag Storage: There are lockers right next to the main entrance. Lockers are emptied at night.
Eligibility:
Business Class travelers on international flights operated by Turkish Airlines,
Miles&Smiles Elite and Elite Plus members (they may invite their families or one guest),
Star Alliance Gold members (they may invite one guest),
First and Business Class travelers on flights operated by Star Alliance member airlines.
Multiple Entries:
If you're connecting and want to visit Istanbul, you can enter the lounge with your connecting BP, enjoy the lounge then go back to Immigration, enter Turkey, and come back to the lounge after your visit.
Facilities
Working
Free Wi-Fi (get the codes next to the computer desk or also throughout the lounge)
Showers
Printers and computers
Eating
Extensive Food and Drink Areas
Relaxing
Relaxation Rooms (see below)
Ironing service
Newspapers and Library
Media wall
Pool Table
Self-playing piano
Sleeping in the Lounge
There are 5-7 relaxation rooms.
Eligibility:
4-7 hour layover for TK Business and Elite Plus customers.
You can only use them only if you are connecting to/from a longhaul Turkish Airlines flight (8+ hours) AND your layover is between 4 and 7 hours.
You may be eligible for a free hotel outside the airport.
TK's Flagship IST *G Lounge [prior to 2015 Master Thread]
May 26, 2013 | 3:31 pm
#511
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ARN
Programs: AC UA TK FI DL
Posts: 804
I am due to be flying with TK in Comfort Class from IST to HKG in the next few weeks.
As a TK Elite card holder, I know that I can access the CIP lounge in Ataturk (IST) plus one guest.
I read from TK's website that:
Elite card holders may benefit from the CIP lounges with their family members (spouse and children) or one of their guests while traveling on THY domestic flights and international flights departing from Turkey. Also Elite card holders will from now on able to accommodate their fellow travelers with the same amenities against 50 TL.
QUESTIONS - Would I be able invite the rest of my family members (i.e. parents and sister) to the lounge without charge or will I need to pay 50 TL per additional guest? If the latter, can I just turn up at the lounge and pay the fees to the lounge dragon?
Thank you
As a TK Elite card holder, I know that I can access the CIP lounge in Ataturk (IST) plus one guest.
I read from TK's website that:
Elite card holders may benefit from the CIP lounges with their family members (spouse and children) or one of their guests while traveling on THY domestic flights and international flights departing from Turkey. Also Elite card holders will from now on able to accommodate their fellow travelers with the same amenities against 50 TL.
QUESTIONS - Would I be able invite the rest of my family members (i.e. parents and sister) to the lounge without charge or will I need to pay 50 TL per additional guest? If the latter, can I just turn up at the lounge and pay the fees to the lounge dragon?
Thank you
Application Rules:
Valid only on domestic flights and in CIP lounges in Turkey.
Not valid for AnadoluJet flights.
Valid on both award and paid tickets.
There is no restriction for number of passengers
who will benefit from this application.
Companion can have a different surname. Refund or change is not allowed.
http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-cy...art_elite.aspx
May 26, 2013 | 4:13 pm
#512
Suspended
Join Date: Apr 2013
Posts: 704
According to the rules listed on the website. The 50 TL guest charge is applicable for TK domestic flights only. So your parents and sister would not be able to access the CIP lounge even if you wanted to pay for it.
Application Rules:
Valid only on domestic flights and in CIP lounges in Turkey.
Not valid for AnadoluJet flights.
Valid on both award and paid tickets.
There is no restriction for number of passengers
who will benefit from this application.
Companion can have a different surname. Refund or change is not allowed.
http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-cy...art_elite.aspx
Application Rules:
Valid only on domestic flights and in CIP lounges in Turkey.
Not valid for AnadoluJet flights.
Valid on both award and paid tickets.
There is no restriction for number of passengers
who will benefit from this application.
Companion can have a different surname. Refund or change is not allowed.
http://www.turkishairlines.com/en-cy...art_elite.aspx
May 27, 2013 | 2:58 am
#513
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: IST, LAX
Programs: TK Elite Plus, *G
Posts: 219
This is what I hate about the Garanti Miles&Smiles Credit Card. I have one as a regular consumer and I usually get around 3000-5000 bonus miles per month from it. Then these bonus miles can be converted into status miles with the calculation 5 bonus miles = 1 status mile. I am not interested in award travel so I usually just convert them to status miles but adding 600-1000 status miles a month is nothing compared to some of these businesses putting around 50000-100000 bonus miles a month. They should change the rules to reflect the reality of differences between businesses and consumers. I even heard of a guy who bought a Bimmer for his wife with his M&S Amex card (what kind of limit does he have, no clue) and got something like 340.000 bonus miles = almost immediate Elite+ qualification.
May 27, 2013 | 2:11 pm
#514
Join Date: Aug 2010
Programs: TK Elite, SAS EBG, Hilton Gold, QR Silver
Posts: 2,307
Turning award miles into status miles is pure madness! Especially considering the endless possibilities you have with booking premium cabin awards, and the fact that TK Elite is so easily attainable. I met the TK head of corporate sales at the ITB in Berlin this year, and from what he told the turks really seem to have some crazed obsession about lounges. They even re-named the TK Corporate club card into "The Lounge Card" for holders in Turkey.
But yes I also think TK strict the acquirement of status. It should be earned by flying, not by spending money on your credit card
But yes I also think TK strict the acquirement of status. It should be earned by flying, not by spending money on your credit card
May 31, 2013 | 2:16 am
#515
Join Date: Oct 2010
Location: IL
Programs: A3 Gold, UA Silver, DL Silver, Hertz PC, Avis Pref+
Posts: 1,141
Shower access at Istanbul lounge
I remember there being some sign up about shower access for card holders and C class pax or words to that effect.
I will be arriving with a guest - does that mean that they will not be be able to use the shower ?
I will be arriving with a guest - does that mean that they will not be be able to use the shower ?
May 31, 2013 | 3:52 am
#516
Join Date: Nov 2008
Location: SF Bay Area
Programs: TK Gold, AA peasant, HH Lifetime Diamond, IHG Diamond
Posts: 1,683
Yes, that is correct, only the passenger holding the valid boarding pass can use the showers. I assume they can make exceptions if there is no queue (not very often).
May 31, 2013 | 4:16 am
#517
Join Date: Apr 2009
Location: TLV
Programs: UA Platinum, Avis Chairman, Marriott Gold, Hilton Gold, GA Pilot
Posts: 3,225
May 31, 2013 | 6:13 am
#518
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: SFO
Programs: AA EXP (One World Emerald), Hilton Gld, Marriot Slvr
Posts: 252
I assume "card holders" includes *Gold. Is it? (The Star Alliance website shows the IST lounge as having shower facilities for *Gold....)
May 31, 2013 | 10:18 am
#519
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, TK *Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 570
Hey guys -
sorry I am a bit confused about this lounge. I have two upcoming flights through IST and no status on *Alliance. I do have Priority Pass Select which shows that I have access to HSBC Club, Primeclass CIP and Wings Primeclass lounge. Will I be able to use the lounge being discussed on either one of these flights?
I
IST-DNZ flying coach on TK
AYR-IST-FRA flying biz on TK
Thanks,
sorry I am a bit confused about this lounge. I have two upcoming flights through IST and no status on *Alliance. I do have Priority Pass Select which shows that I have access to HSBC Club, Primeclass CIP and Wings Primeclass lounge. Will I be able to use the lounge being discussed on either one of these flights?
I
IST-DNZ flying coach on TK
AYR-IST-FRA flying biz on TK
Thanks,
May 31, 2013 | 10:32 am
#520
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
in C) was about 10-15 minutes. For XX*G in Y it was about 60-70 minutes (I overheard a discussion the concierge had with a group of CA elites).
May 31, 2013 | 10:36 am
#521
Join Date: Jun 2008
Programs: TK*G (E+), IHG Plat Ambassador
Posts: 7,884
May 31, 2013 | 10:58 am
#522
Join Date: May 2011
Location: NYC
Programs: UA 1K, AS MVP Gold, TK *Gold, HHonors Gold, SPG Plat, Marriott Plat, Hyatt Diamond
Posts: 570
Thank you. What is the official name of this lounge? For my IST-DNZ flight I guess I can access one of the Priority Pass Select (through US Amex Plat) Lounges. As mentioned the Priority Pass app shows I have access to PrimeClass CIP, Wings PrimeClass and HSBC Club lounge.
I've heard a lot about this lounge so if I can't access it I am tempted to status match my EXP to TK to at least use the lounge.
I've heard a lot about this lounge so if I can't access it I am tempted to status match my EXP to TK to at least use the lounge.
May 31, 2013 | 11:44 am
#523
Join Date: Apr 2012
Location: ARN
Programs: AC UA TK FI DL
Posts: 804
Thank you. What is the official name of this lounge? For my IST-DNZ flight I guess I can access one of the Priority Pass Select (through US Amex Plat) Lounges. As mentioned the Priority Pass app shows I have access to PrimeClass CIP, Wings PrimeClass and HSBC Club lounge.
I've heard a lot about this lounge so if I can't access it I am tempted to status match my EXP to TK to at least use the lounge.
I've heard a lot about this lounge so if I can't access it I am tempted to status match my EXP to TK to at least use the lounge.
You're accessing it on the return trip anyways, so why bother?
Also, your IST-DNZ trip would allow you to access the domestic lounge only in IST, which is not the same as the International lounge that everyone raves about. So no need to bother changing anything.
Last edited by iamaho; May 31, 2013 at 12:02 pm
May 31, 2013 | 6:27 pm
#524
formerly known as Tad's Broiled Steaks
Join Date: Jun 2004
Posts: 6,424
Don't let Duffman down too much- the domestic IST lounge is ok, certainly better than many US lounges. Food options seemed healthy and approachable...
Jun 5, 2013 | 1:29 pm
#525
Moderator: Lufthansa Miles & More, India based airlines, India, External Miles & Points Resources
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: MUC
Programs: LH SEN
Posts: 52,501
Finally got to spend some time at the pleasure temple that all bloggers and FTer get all excited about. Its pretty nice, but when I was in there (10-11.30p) it was packed to the gills and completely full. The staff was very busy cleaning the tables, but it was a neverending mess of tables. No seats available nearly everywhere, the toilets a mess, inspite of the attendant constantly cleaning up. That said the layout and interior of the lounge is pretty nice.^